fiscal cliff. that's the package of tax increases for most americans and budget cuts that will hit automatically unless the white house and congress find a gentler way to solve the crisis in the federal budget. here's how treasury secretary tim geithner put it on cnbc. >> is the administration prepared to go over the fiscal cliff? >> absolutely. again there is no prospect to an agreement that doesn't involve those rates going up on the top 2% of the wealthiest americans. remember, it's only 2%. >> pelley: by top 2%, he means individuals making more than $200,000 and couples taking in $250,000 or more. republicans say rates shouldn't be increased on anyone. with no agreement, going over the fiscal cliff would be painful. the automatic tax increases break down like this: households making $20,000 to $40,000 would see an increase in $1,200 a year. incomes of $40,000 to $64,000 would see taxes rise $2,000 and in the $64,000 to $108,000 bracket taxes go up $3,500 a year. mr. obama and the republican spe